| hypoplasia of the thymus and parathyroids | Also known as the digeorge syndrome (dgs), this disorder is characterised by (1) low blood calcium levels (hypocalcaemia) due to underdevelopment (hypoplasia) of the parathyroid glands needed to control calcium; (2) underdevelopment (hypoplasia) of the thymus, an organ behind the breastbone in which lymphocytes mature and multiply; and (3) defects of the outflow tracts from the heart. most cases of dgs are due to a microdeletion in chromosome band 22q11.2. A small number of cases have defects in other chromosomes, notably 10p13. Named after the american paediatric endocrinologist angelo digeorge. Another name for dgs is the third and fourth pharyngeal pouch syndrome (since the faulty structures in dgs are embryologically derived from the third and fourth pharyngeal pouches). (12 Dec 1998) |
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| slash, burn, and poison | Brutal medical slang term for surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy (as approaches to the treatment of cancer). (12 Dec 1998) |
| specialty chemicals and products | Chemicals and chemical products used in a research, industrial, or household setting. Included here are the specific drug preparations, as well as the substances involved in the manufacture and stabilization of pharmaceutical preparations and agricultural agents. (12 Dec 1998) |
| spike and wave complex | A generalised, synchronous pattern seen on the electroencephalogram, consisting of a sharply contoured fast wave followed by a slow wave; particularly found in patients with generalised epilepsies. Spike and wave complexes are often characterised by their frequency, e.g., s low spike and wave, fast spike and wave. (05 Mar 2000) |
| spiral and curved bacteria | A large, very diverse group of bacteria in which some species are curved, some helical. (12 Dec 1998) |
| sprains and strains | A collective term for muscle and ligament injuries without dislocation or fracture. A sprain is a joint injury in which some of the fibres of a supporting ligament are ruptured but the continuity of the ligament remains intact. A strain is an overstretching or overexertion of some part of the musculature. (12 Dec 1998) |
| national institute for occupational safety and health | An institute of the centres for disease control and prevention which is responsible for assuring safe and healthful working conditions and for developing standards of safety and health. Research activities are carried out pertinent to these goals. (12 Dec 1998) |
| standards and guidelines | Bounds or constraints within which all practices in a given area will be carried out, in achieving the goals and objectives for that area. Standards and guidelines provide environmental safeguards and also describe constraints prescribed by law. (05 Dec 1998) |
| nebulisers and vaporisers | Devices that cause a liquid or solid to be converted into an aerosol (spray) or a vapor. It is used in drug administration by inhalation, humidification of ambient air, and in certain analytical instruments. (12 Dec 1998) |
| state health planning and development agencies | Agencies established under pl93-641 to coordinate, conduct, and implement state health planning activities. Two primary responsibilities are the preparation of an annual state health plan and giving assistance to the statewide health coordinating council. (12 Dec 1998) |
| stem and loop structure | <molecular biology> The structure of tRNAs is so termed because it has four base paired stems and three loops (not base paired), one of which contains the anticodon. (18 Nov 1997) |
| neonatal diseases and abnormalities | Diseases existing at birth and often before birth, regardless of causation. Of these congenital diseases, those characterised by structural deformities are termed abnormalities. (12 Dec 1998) |
| neoplasms, adnexal and skin appendage | Neoplasms composed of sebaceous or sweat gland tissue or tissue of other skin appendages. The concept does not refer to neoplasms located in the sebaceous or sweat glands or in the other skin appendages. (12 Dec 1998) |
| neoplasms, complex and mixed | Neoplasms composed of more than one type of neoplastic tissue. (12 Dec 1998) |
| neoplasms, connective and soft tissue | Neoplasms developing from some structure of the connective and subcutaneous tissue. The concept does not refer to neoplasms located in connective or soft tissue. (12 Dec 1998) |